CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Oklahoma preview

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Oklahoma Sooners

Air attack could reach more new heights

'99: 7-5, 5-3 Big 12

Coach

Bob Stoops (second season, 7-5)

Key offensive players

Josh Heupel, QB, Sr.
Set school and conference records for completions (310), attempts (500), percentage (.620), yards (3,460) and touchdown passes (30) last year.

Quentin Griffin, RB, So.
Averaged a team-high 6.5 yards per carry and rushed for 285 after pulling his redshirt for the final four games of the season.

Antwone Savage, WR, So.
Set school freshman records for receptions (31) and receiving yardage (426) last year.

Bubba Bercham, C, Sr.
Anchors inexperienced offensive line after moving from guard last season.

Key defensive players

Rocky Calmus, LB, Jr.
Playmaking linebacker who could develop into OU's best at the position since Brian Bosworth.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Lee Roy Selmon, DT, 1972-75
Close call over two Heisman-winning Billys (Vessels and Sims) and the Boz.

Brightest Moment: Coach Bud Wilkinson engineered a 20-6 comeback victory over Maryland in the 1956 Orange Bowl, the 30th in an eventual 47-game winning streak, still the Division I record.

Lowest Moment: Cross-state rival Oklahoma State's 17-16 upset over the Sooners in 1965, enabling the Cowboys to break a 19-year losing streak to the Sooners.

Torrance Marshall, LB, Sr.
Could see occasional playing time at defensive end during some pass situations to help beef up Sooners' pass rush.

J.T. Thatcher, S, Sr.
Showed flashes of becoming a playmaker in the Sooners' spring game with three interceptions and two returns for touchdowns.

Key newcomer

Derrick Strait, CB, Fr.
No returning starters at cornerback could mean immediate playing time for former scout-teamer.

Throwback player

LB Rocky Calmus could be the Big 12's toughest player after notching nine tackles against Oklahoma State last year while playing with a broken bone in his right leg.

21st century player

Former Georgia transfer Nate Hybl has been favorably compared to Troy Aikman because of his size and passing arm.

Fast fact

Heupel completed more passes in his first two games last season than any of Oklahoma's six national championship teams did in a season.

Outlook

Stoops is clearly ahead of the rebuilding curve after his first season at Oklahoma. The Sooners will be improved with more speed and depth than in Stoops' first year. Heupel must do a better job of avoiding mistakes, and a reliable running threat must emerge in the backfield. The Sooners also need an inexperienced secondary to grow up quickly to go along with their strong front seven on defense. If new offensive coordinator Mark Mangino develops a running game to balance the offense and help salt away victories, the Sooners could be a darkhorse contender for the South Division championship.

-- Tim Griffin